Coop had discreetly watched the conversation between Phoenix and her sister, and he knew that whatever they’d discussed, it had pleased Phoenix. Even when she’d been talking seriously to Ridley, or hugging her in sympathy, she’d looked ecstatic. He was curious, but figured she’d tell him when she was ready.
That didn’t stop him from asking, “Were you and Ridley having your own private party?”
Another very sweet smile curved her lips, and a rosy glow colored her cheeks. “Something like that.” She peeked up at him as they walked to the house. “I can’t tell you anything yet, but soon, I promise.”
He didn’t mind waiting. As long as Phoenix was with him, as long as she was this happy, he had what he needed. For now.
Eventually, he’d want more, but he hoped to ease her into it.
They paused in front of the house while Sugar took care of business near a bush.
“Look at that sky.” Shielding her eyes, her nose scrunching, Phoenix gazed toward the setting sun.
After Ridley had left, they’d played together with Sugar in the water for another half an hour. The dog had taken right to swimming, but still they’d kept her in the shallows. Now as the sun dropped in the sky, it splashed watercolors of purple, pink, crimson and yellow across the horizon.
“Pretty,” he agreed, looking more at her than the scenery. In so many ways, she seemed an intrinsic part of the resort. A very special, most important part.
“It’s breathtaking,” she whispered.
If she liked it enough, maybe she’d be content to stay forever.
When Sugar finished, Coop opened the door for her to go in. She made a beeline for her dishes, gobbled up some food, then trotted down the hall to sleep. Apparently, swimming in the sunshine exhausted everyone, even high-energy dogs. Since her fur was still damp, he was extra glad that she didn’t want to sleep on the bed.
Giving up her admiration of the sunset, Phoenix started to follow the dog inside.
Though she must have missed it earlier, the second she stepped over the threshold, she noticed that Anna’s photo wasn’t on the desk.
Halting, she stared fixedly at the spot where it had always been. Her towel slipped in her hands, dropping loosely around her hips, her hair in dark, wet hanks over her bare shoulders.
Her gaze cautiously sought his. “You put that one away, too?”
Having thought about it a lot, he’d expected the question and saw no reason to pretend he didn’t understand. Phoenix wasn’t like other women. She was so far out of the realm of other women that she constantly took him by surprise. He knew he could be up-front with her, and he was.
Smiling, he rested his hand over his chest. “It’s here.”
“In your heart?”
“Yes.” He’d never forget Anna, but he could move forward now without anger, without anguish. Thanks to Phoenix, he could love again. “I don’t need or want a daily reminder of her.” Hoping she’d understand, he moved his hand to her cheek. “Not anymore.”
She stared up at him, her eyes big and glassy, her lips trembling. “I don’t want to come between—”
“You’re not.” She couldn’t be between him and a memory, not when she came first, before anything or anyone else. He wanted to say more, so much more, but he feared rushing her. In many ways, she was still shy of commitment. Part of that, he knew, was out of deference to him and the love he’d had for Anna.
It was up to him to show her that now, with her in his life, everything was different. That started with the removal of reminders of his past.
She leaned against him, her face tipped back so she could see him. “You’re sure, Cooper?”
“Very sure.”
Her acceptance was tremulous and heartbreakingly beautiful. “All right.”
His blood fired, and he hugged her closer, lifting her off her feet while taking her mouth in a hot, deep kiss. To his libido, it seemed like she’d just agreed to a lot.
She kept one arm locked around his neck and with the other, she held on to the plastic bag holding their phones and his wallet.
Sliding a forearm under her bottom, he carried her down the hall, then let her slide down his body until she stood before him. The plastic bag got tossed aside—he didn’t really care where it landed.
He dropped his towel, stripped away hers, then also removed her bathing suit top and bottoms. God, he would never tire of her body, of the soft, abundant curves. He adored those as much as the eager way she approached their lovemaking.
Every time with Phoenix felt both new and yet familiar; comfortable, but unbearably exciting. It was special, because she was special.
Whether she knew it yet or not, he’d already accepted that he wanted her, now, tomorrow...and for the rest of his life.
* * *
Baxter didn’t know what to think when Ridley finally sidled up to him. She’d been hanging back a few yards, watching him while he not-so-patiently waited to make his escape. The two men before him had inexhaustible curiosity about diving, the park and the lake. Like many elders, they had stories and adventures to share, and apparently they wanted to share them all with him. He’d tried to concentrate on adequate replies, but it was getting late, well past his work hours, and he wanted Ridley.
As usual.
Now, as she approached, the two men lost their trains of thought, too busy staring at her to continue speaking.
She’d pulled on a cover-up but hadn’t closed it in the front, meaning her very sweet body was still easily seen by all.
True, every woman on the beach wore a suit...but every woman wasn’t Ridley.
When Ridley realized they were all three staring at her, she gave her patented “make a man drool” smile and said, “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need to borrow Baxter if that’s okay?”
The old goats nearly fell over themselves assuring her it was fine.
She hooked her arm through his. “Inside?”
If she planned to seduce him in the scuba shop with dozens of people still hanging around, he’d...what? Count himself a lucky bastard? Probably.
“Sure.” Damn it, he was already getting semi-hard just thinking about it and even with the top half of his wet suit turned down, that wouldn’t do. He tried a deep breath, but despite the weeks they’d been together, she still did it for him. God, he had it bad.
Ridley could give him a look, or that killer smile, or hell, she could just be walking away from him—even after giving him hell—and he wanted her.
Instead of her effect wearing off, it seemed to amplify each day. What he’d thought would be a quick affair that burned out naturally was instead an attraction that flamed brighter and hotter than ever.
It’d be unsettling if he wasn’t having so much fun. Ridley was so damn honest he never had to guess about her motives. Even when she tried to make him jealous, she let him know what she was doing.
Better still, he trusted her. The games were fun because he knew, deep down in his...fuck, his heart? Yeah, his heart knew she wasn’t a cheater. If she lost interest, she’d tell him so to his face. No confusion. No guessing.
There was something very reassuring, very addictive, about knowing her so well and trusting her so completely. Ridley told him what she wanted, when she wanted it, how she wanted it. She also listened when he did the same, and then she took wicked pleasure in giving it to him.
Huh. Was he falling in love with her?
Baxter stopped so suddenly that Ridley ran into him with an “Ompf.”
He turned to stare at her, boggled by the notion that he wanted a lifetime with her.
“Hey.” Scowling, she bumped him with her hip. “Why’d you put on the brakes like that?”
All he could do was shake his head. Seeing that particular disgruntled frown on her face—even that made him hard.
Put a fork in me, I’m done.
Hands on her hips, she snapped, “What’s going on, Baxter? Why are you looking at me like I’m naked?”
Slowly, the grin spread. “That’s how I usually see you, now that I know what’s underneath the clothes. Not that you’re wearing anything even close to resembling clothes today.”
“Oh? Do you like it?” Smirking, she struck a pose, breasts out, hand on the dip of her waist, leg turned just so. Then suddenly her scowl was back. “Don’t get too used to it. Things are about to change.”
He stiffened from head to toe. “What the hell does that mean?” If she planned to end things when he’d just realized he wanted forever, he’d... Well, he didn’t know yet, but he wasn’t about to let her call it quits.
Exasperated, she put both hands on her hips. “I’ll explain if you’ll get a move on. Or would you rather we stay here drawing attention?”
True, people were starting to stare. He glanced at the scuba shop, but he’d rather not make it too easy on her, so instead he led her over to a vacated picnic table. It was far enough away that no one could overhear if she thought to dump him.
Somehow he’d change her mind—even if he had to carry her off to bed.
That was where he was most convincing anyway.
* * *
Ridley waited until Baxter stopped at the table. Wearing a black scowl that, okay, she had to admit was a bit intimidating, he gestured for her to sit.
She paced instead.
Baxter gave her a look, then sprawled onto the bench seat, arms crossed over his bare chest, legs parted.
At least he wore his reflective sunglasses. Somehow, not seeing his eyes made it less nerve-racking to say, “I’m pregnant.”
Other than his jaw going slack, he turned to stone.
Damn. She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. Now that she had, anxiety dampened her palms and made her heart hammer.
When Baxter didn’t say anything, she leaned in and snarled right into his handsome face, “Pregnant. Knocked up. Bun in the oven.” To punctuate all that, she added with a sneer, “Dad.”
He came to his feet so swiftly, she didn’t realize he was moving until suddenly he towered over her.
His lips moved, twice, before he choked out, “How?”
He sounded more stunned than angry. Ridley could feel heat pulsing in her face, feel the prickling of the skin on the back of her neck. This won’t do. She wouldn’t let herself be this nervous.
Now that he was on his feet, she sat, legs crossed, arms spread out on the table behind her. “I didn’t figure you for the type who’d need an anatomy lesson.”
Chest heaving, he faced her and warned, “Ridley...”
“Fine.” She was too stressed herself to drag it out. “I’ve been thinking about it. I mean, we’ve been careful, right? Even though I didn’t think I could get pregnant, there are other things to worry about. Not that I was still worrying about them with you, but my middle name is ‘responsible,’ so—”
“Wait.” He twirled a finger in the air. “Rewind that.”
She lifted her brows. “Which part?”
“You didn’t think you could get pregnant?”
Oh, yeah, she’d never really explained that, had she? Shrugging, she said, “That’s why Robbie divorced me. He and his parents wanted an heir, but it wasn’t happening. Not even after three years of boinking without protection. I was willing to try some medical routes, but he refused.” She scowled, thinking. “Maybe the dick knew he was the problem, not me. Could be why he didn’t want a reproductive professional’s input. I mean, he lives off the largesse of his haughty—”
“Ridley,” he said again, and she noticed that his hands were clenching and unclenching into fists.
Fascinating. “So anyway, he wanted out so he could find some other, more fertile lady to give him a brood of kids. He and his parents were happy to pay me off to make the divorce easy. I was...hurt. I mean, not that I was actively wanting kids back then...or really, even since then. But eventually I figured I would.”
“Ridley,” he said again, his voice even softer.
She sighed. “So anyway, it hurt me to be told I was defective, to be discarded because of it, to learn that Robbie never really loved me.” Defensively, she added, “When I hurt, I get even.”
He stood over her. “Good for you.”
Crazy how much his understanding meant to her.
“So,” he said, “Robbie was an asshole who didn’t want the truth exposed. How come you didn’t get medical confirmation?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t know I wanted kids, so why bother? I was all butt-hurt about his defection, invested in my revenge, then things happened with Phoenix and...”
He stared at her, his brows raised above the rims of his sunglasses.
That got her back on track. “Anyway, you remember way back at the beginning, we were fooling around and you hadn’t yet rolled on a rubber? I distinctly remember...” She coughed for emphasis. “Contact.” Though her pulse seemed to be on a race, she fashioned a smile. “Delicious contact. Apparently, you’re such a potent stud, that’s all it took.”
“I’d say that makes you potent, as well.”
“Yeah. Take that, Robbie.”
His chest rose on a big breath, then he eased himself down beside her and breathed in wonder, “A baby.”
“Yup.”
It startled her when he jerked off his sunglasses. Those green eyes of his were downright incandescent with some emotion she couldn’t quite read. “We’re having a baby.” His nostrils flared. “We are, aren’t we?”
Time to come clean. “Yes, I am.” If he heard the clarification, he made no mention of it. “Baxter...” This was the hard part. Best to spit it out quickly. “I’m in great financial shape. You know that. I can care for the baby on my own—”
His body jerked toward her. “Fuck that. You’re not cutting me out, so forget it.”
“—but I...” She blinked at him. “What?”
“I said forget it. I want in.”
Ridley blinked. “In...on dad duty?”
“Damn right. Long haul. Birth to college and beyond.”
Well, he was certainly thinking ahead. “Okay, fine.” Relief lifted some of her worry. “But—”
“No buts.” His shoulders tensed as he leaned into her space. “In fact, I think we should get married.”
Whoa, somehow she’d totally lost control of this convo. “Married?”
“Stop repeating everything I say, damn it!”
“You won’t let me finish what I want to say!”
His jaw flexed and his eyes narrowed. “Because you’re trying to dump me.”
“Wrong!”
He paused. “Wrong?”
Throwing up her hands, Ridley stood again. Nervous energy made it impossible to stay still.
Baxter snatched her into his lap. Much more softly, he asked, “How am I wrong, babe?”
She couldn’t look at him this closely, so instead she stared at his chest. “I love you.”
This new silence cut deep.
“Baxter?” She peeked up and found him grinning, the jerk.
He started to speak, and then suddenly Daron was there, pausing only long enough to say, “Fire at the maintenance building! Joy’s calling Coop. Maris is calling the fire department. It looks bad.” And off he went in a fast jog.
They both stood and sure enough, smoke visibly filled the sky at the far end of the resort.
Baxter cursed. “I’ll come find you as soon as we get things under control.”
Ridley started after him. “I’ll help.”
Pivoting fast, Baxter pinned her with an incredulous glare. “You’re pregnant!”
Oh, good grief. “Doesn’t make me lame.”
“No.” He grabbed her shoulders, kissed her hard and said, “Please, for my sake, stay at this end of the park, okay? Maris will need help with the store anyway.”
Wondering if this was what she’d have to put up with, Ridley nodded. “Fine. I’ll stay. But we’ll talk about this later.”
“No doubt.”
She grabbed him before he could go. “You better be careful, Baxter McNab. I’m going to be really pissed if you get hurt.”
“Because you love me,” he said with a grin, then he turned and ran after Daron.
Ridley huffed out a breath. Life was about to change big-time.
She was pretty sure it’d be awesome.
Grinning, she headed to the store to help Maris.
* * *
The ringing of Coop’s cell phone sounded from somewhere down on the floor. Still trying to catch her breath, Phoenix lazily kissed his sweaty shoulder and asked, “Should you get that?”
“Probably.” Yet he didn’t move, except to fondle her breast.
Lightly, she bit his shoulder, tasting the salt of his skin, relishing the heat of his body and his scent, intensified from their fast, urgent lovemaking.
They were both very mellow now, and for Phoenix, it felt as if everything were fresh and new.
The ringing stopped, but not for long.
When it started up the second time, Cooper groaned and turned away from her, glancing around the room as if trying to locate it.
“Sounds like it’s coming from under the bed.”
“Yeah.” He stood, giving her a nice view of his broad back, narrow hips and taut behind before he knelt and located the phone.
Propping up on her elbow, she watched him as he answered the phone before sitting on the side of the bed.
The straightening of his spine told her something was wrong even before his side of the conversation registered.
“Damn it, they should all stay clear.” Already up and struggling into shorts, he added, “No, don’t go near it, Maris. I’ll take care of it. Yeah, I’m on my way. Thanks.” He disconnected, saying to Phoenix, “Fire at the maintenance building.”
“Fire?” She slid from the bed.
“I have to run. Daron and Baxter are on-site, and the fire department should be on the way, but I need to make sure our guests keep their distance.”
She tugged on her panties, then a T-shirt, not bothering with a bra. “I can help with that.”
Cooper grabbed her shoulders. “Think about it, honey. This could be a trap.”
“A trap?”
He let her go to shove his feet into shoes. “I’m willing to bet the fire was deliberately set. And that means whoever’s been hassling you is back.”
“Oh.” Slowly she sank onto the side of the bed, her thoughts spinning. “But there has to be a large crowd out there.”
“Exactly. How are we to know who did it, or who we can trust? It’s going to be chaotic and I’ll feel better if you stay here, with the door locked.”
He was ready to go, his expression stern, concerned, and the last thing she wanted to be was a distraction.
“All right. But please be careful.”
He nodded, and she followed him to the kitchen. Only a handful of stars lit the sky, so Cooper flipped on the outside floodlights.
Just then they heard the siren.
“Lock this behind me,” he said as he went out the door and over to his golf cart, which would get him there quicker than walking.
“Seriously,” she called after him. “Be careful, and please let me know how bad it is as soon as you can.”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
Through the closed door, she watched him drive down the hill in the grass. In the distance, colored lights flashed from the fire truck.
If it was a deliberate fire, that would mean she’d brought even more trouble to his door. The thought made her sick.
When she heard a noise behind her, she assumed it was Sugar and turned to greet the little dog, ready to comfort her—and take some comfort of her own.
She saw only a shadow in the hallway. A big shadow.
Her heart jumped into her throat, strangling any sound she might have made. She edged toward the door, quietly opening the lock and turning the doorknob, but just as she got it open, the shadow merged into a man.
A very large man.
Despite the smothering summer heat, he wore a ski mask.
* * *
Coop stood back as the firefighters quickly got the blaze under control. With spotlights aimed at the building, he saw that it was a loss with two burned sides, the others singed, the roof severely damaged.
The damned security camera had all but melted.
At least no one had been hurt.
Baxter and Daron had done an admirable job of blocking curious guests outside the perimeter set up by the firefighters. Joy had quickly created a makeshift play area for kids well away from danger, but unfortunately still within view of the chaos. The lodge was already in use, so she’d gotten them as far away from the smoke as she could. Frazzled parents alternately gawked and reassured their children. One of the firefighters had walked over there, equally flirting with Joy and leaving the kids in awe. He passed out badges and plastic helmets, so at least the children weren’t upset by the destruction.
Coop, however, was outraged.
With the entire park up and awake to witness the spectacle, he kept his rage under wraps.
Standing beside him, Gibb silently studied the building, his arms folded, hat pushed back, expression thoughtful.
So others wouldn’t hear, Coop kept his voice low. “It was deliberately set.”
“I’d say so.”
They both watched as a female firefighter inspected the area where the fire originated. She’d already informed them that a flare, placed against paper and wood at the back of the building, had been deliberately set up. Apparently gasoline or some other accelerant had been splashed on the exterior walls.
The big question remained: Why?
Gibb’s eyes narrowed more. “Does Phoenix ever work this late?”
“No. And even if she did, she wouldn’t be at this end of the park alone at this time of night. We’ve discussed it, and while she considered the threats over, she agreed to be extra cautious.”
“So this wasn’t to trap her, then.”
Something, some odd sense of alarm, dug into Coop’s spine. He stiffened. Phoenix was alone now.
Gibb looked at him, a reciprocal unease on his face. “Where is she?”
“In my house.” Already turning, Coop took off at a run. He wouldn’t risk the motor on the golf cart possibly alerting their firebug to his approach. That is, if the man thought to get to Phoenix. If he’d set the fire to distract Coop.
If, if, if.
Why didn’t I keep her with me?
Fear left a sick churning in his gut, a cold sweat on the back of his neck. He heard Gibb calling to him as he darted in and around RVs, mindless of the privacy of others as he took the most direct path to the house.
Halfway up, he saw that the kitchen door was open. Oh, God.
A hand grabbed his arm and he turned, fist already cocked back.
“Don’t you dare!”
Ridley. He tried to shake her off. “I have to—”
Baxter grabbed his other arm. “Hold up one second, Coop.” He sounded strained, urgent. “We need to think about this.”
There was no time to think, no time to talk. “I have to get to her.”
“Agreed,” Baxter said. “But if you charge in, she could get hurt.”
The rationale sank into his pounding brain.
Ridley still held on to him as she spoke in rapid, jumbled chatter. “Sugar came to me. The poor little thing was frantic. Soon as I saw her, I knew something was wrong. Phoenix would never leave the door open for the dog to get out, so I put her with Maris and was ready to call you when Baxter showed up. Then we saw you running...” She stopped to inhale, sucking air. “What are we going to do?”
Gibb reached them. “I’m going up, the rest of you are going to stay here.”
“Like hell.” Coop shook them all off.
“Fuck,” Gibb growled, then quickly rallied before Coop could get far. “Fine—here’s a plan. I’ll go around to the front of the house, see if I can get in that way and come up behind him. You two cover the back. Do not barge in. That’s dangerous for everyone, including Phoenix.”
Coop started forward, making no promises at all. He’d do whatever was needed to keep Phoenix from being hurt.
Behind him, he heard Ridley and Baxter in hushed disagreement with each other, but a second later, Baxter caught up to him.
Staying low, they crept to the open kitchen door.
And then Coop saw it: Phoenix in her T-shirt and panties, her hair still tumbled from their exuberant sex, her expression pale and stoic behind her glasses.
Across from her stood a man as large as Coop himself, a face shield covering his face and neck.
In one beefy hand, he held a bed pillow, and in the other, he gripped a gun—aimed at Phoenix’s chest.
* * *
Even as she stared steadily at the masked man, Phoenix prayed. She prayed for herself, desperately wanting to live, and for Cooper. He needed her, she sensed that now. If something happened to her, if she died in violence as his wife had, would he be able to recover? Yes, he was a survivor, but by his own admission he’d retreated from life, hiding in the masses, living partially in the past with only memories to sustain him.
He deserved so much more than that.
He deserved everything.
If she lived through this, she’d see that he got it.
“You didn’t think I’d find you, did you? You thought you were safe now.”
The hard beating of her heart caused a physical ache in her chest. She shook her head. “Who are you?”
Though she couldn’t see his face, she heard the smirk in his voice when he said, “Come on, now, sweetheart. You’re not dumb. Who do you think?”
“Not David,” she said, confident about that. “Not Harry, either.” He was too big to be either of them... She gasped as shocking recognition clawed past her fear. In a strained whisper, she said, “You robbed me.”
“Now she’s catching on.”
She clutched the counter behind her with both hands, determined not to crumble. “There were two of you.”
He tilted his head in assent. “My friend has no spine, no sense of completing a task. I say fuck him.” His voice softened. “Just as I say fuck you.”
“But I did nothing to you!”
All calm fled him and he roared, “You got away!”
Flinching back from his anger, Phoenix tried to think, but drew a blank. At least Sugar wasn’t in danger since she’d fled out the open door in a panic. Maybe, with any luck, someone would notice the little dog, notice the open door and help would arrive in time.
“No one will save you this time,” he crooned, quashing her hopes. “The fire will keep everyone busy. I made sure of that.”
So it had all been part of a plan—a plan to kill her? “How did you get in?” Through the throbbing panic, she thought that if she could keep him talking, maybe she could buy some time.
“A window around front.” He strolled closer, his head tilted to the side, the gun getting closer and closer to her. “That entrance that’s never used, since it faces away from the park. I found that out my first day here—more than two months ago.”
“Here...in the resort?” Dear God. Knowing he’d been around that long sent shivers up her spine.
“It was easy to rent a spot in the primitive tent area.” His gaze moved over her and she became painfully aware that she wore only a T-shirt and panties. “Nice of you to welcome me like this.” He used the gun to gesture up and down her body. “Unnecessary, but appreciated all the same.”
Her breath strangled in her lungs. No, she wouldn’t play his sick game, wouldn’t uselessly attempt to cover herself or even reply to his crude comments. “You’ve been here all along?”
“In and out.” He stopped about ten feet from her. “Often enough to see the cop coming and going. I followed him when he went to talk to that punk, Harry, who, by the way, will have to go now that he knows what I look like.” In a vague voice, almost as an afterthought, he murmured, “I’ll be visiting that sad excuse for a man later tonight.”
Phoenix had never thought to feel sorry for Harry, but now she did. “Why did you talk to him?”
“To feel him out, and let me tell you, he doesn’t like you or your boyfriend. Blamed you both for sending me around.” Amusement entered his tone. “He spilled his guts with little prompting from me, complaining that anyone who could afford this camp setup should damn well be able to pay for a chicken.”
Phoenix almost groaned.
“Took me a bit to figure out that nonsense, but knowing your boyfriend owns the park factored into my end game. See, it makes sense that he’d run to greet the firefighters and take responsibility for his guests, right? And since he’s involved with you I figured he’d leave you behind. I wasn’t wrong, was I?” Voice smooth, he said, “You’re here, and he’s not.”
Phoenix was somewhat thankful for that. At least Cooper was safe.
A laugh, raw and mean, filled the air as he came closer still, the gun held down at his side. “But don’t delude yourself. I’m here now because I don’t leave loose ends. I’ll get him eventually. Maybe not right away, but—”
Something inside her snapped. Phoenix didn’t think about it, couldn’t weigh the risk against the blazing anger that gave her strength. She simply reacted, launching herself at the man, her curled fingers aiming for his face.
Surprise took him backward in an awkward lurch and he almost fell. The gun exploded, shattering a window on the wall behind her, and while she heard it, while she felt bone-deep fear, her body seemed to be on autopilot...set in attack mode.
She clawed at the mask, half ripping it from his face. Screaming like a banshee, she kicked for his groin—until his fist caught her temple, knocking her to the floor. Her glasses skidded away, stars dancing before her eyes. Panting in pain, she waited for the gunshot that would end her life, but instead she caught sight of a large body charging into the kitchen, taking down the masked man in a vicious tackle. The entire floor shook as the men landed hard.
Someone crouched in front of her, and when she started to scuttle away, Baxter said, “It’s me, Phoenix. Stay still.”
She grabbed for his back, offered as a protective shield. If Baxter was here, Cooper must be also.
Fear choked her.
She struggled to sit up—then screamed in horror at a second gun blast.
No, oh God, no.
Tears spilled from her eyes and sobs burned her throat—until strong, familiar arms folded around her. “Shh, don’t cry.”
She gasped in great gulps of air. “Cooper.” He was alive, warm and vital, and safe.
“It’s okay, baby.” His hands stroked her hair. “I’ve got you.” Warm lips brushed her face where she’d been struck. “Are you okay?”
“Me?” She clutched at him, remnants of terror remaining. “I heard a shot! Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. Gibb shot the bastard.”
From somewhere in the kitchen, Officer Clark muttered, “Better than you beating him to death.”
She ran her hands up Cooper’s body to his neck, then his face. “Is he dead?”
Baxter choked on a startled laugh.
“No.” Cooper gently drew her closer against his chest. “He’s hurt, but not dead.”
“Oh.” She tried not to sound too disappointed. In rushed explanation, she said, “He set the fire. And he was going to kill Harry and then you.”
“He won’t hurt anyone else.”
Beside them, Baxter said, “Here.”
She felt Cooper reach out, and then he settled her glasses on her, tenderly tucking the arms over her ears, nudging the frames into place on her nose.
“Cooper.” Finally, she could see him clearly, could see that he wasn’t hurt at all, although worry ravaged his features, making his eyes dark, his jaw tight. She peered past him and saw the man, now without his mask, absolutely demolished. Blood covered his nose and swollen mouth and ran down his throat. His brown hair, matted with more blood, stood on end. He had only one slightly dazed eye open.
As Phoenix stared at him, he groaned raggedly, attempting to roll to his side. Since he wore handcuffs, Officer Clark helped him to sit up.
“You, um...” She transferred her attention back to Cooper. “You pulverized him.”
“I love you,” he said as if the words weren’t life-altering. “The bastard is lucky I didn’t kill him.”
Her eyes went wide. They sat on the kitchen floor, Baxter, Officer Clark and a near-unconscious evil creep nearby, and Cooper chose that moment to make a major declaration?
Cooper leaned in to kiss the end of her nose.
“I love you, too.” Her eyes flared even more. She hadn’t even meant to say that!
But now that she had... Her voice broke and she reached for him, grasping, needing. “God, Cooper, I love you so much!”
With his arms around her, his face bent down to hers, she felt surrounded and safe and so happy it almost hurt. She stifled a watery laugh.
The man who had attacked her at her shop so long ago, the man who’d paralyzed her so badly that she’d spent months hiding in a hotel room, that man was only feet away and she didn’t care. He was nothing now, not a threat, barely a memory.
“Are you getting hysterical on me?” Cooper asked with mild interest.
“No.” She clutched him tighter. “I’m just happy.”
“I’m glad.”
She lowered her voice. “I hear more sirens, which means more people showing up, and I’m in my panties.”
A shirt dropped over her. Baxter, his chest and shoulders now bare, discreetly turned away as she wrapped it around herself like a skirt.
A new flurry of activity drew her attention to the doorway and then Ridley ran in, her face filled with shock and worry as she searched the room, seeing the battered goon, the officer...and finally Phoenix.
Hanging on to the doorway, she asked, “You’re okay?”
Phoenix nodded. “Absolutely fine,” she promised.
“Oh, thank God.” Her relief was so strong, she nearly sank to the floor.
Baxter caught her. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Eyes closing, her sister snarled, “Don’t yell at me.”
“I wasn’t,” he protested with heat, then asked more softly, “Are you insane? I thought we agreed you would wait in the store.”
“No, you ordered and I mostly ignored.”
Baxter glowered even as he wrapped his arms around her. “You shouldn’t be running in your condition.”
Cooper’s expression went comically blank. “Her condition?”
Oh, how Phoenix had hoped to tell him in a gentler, more private way. Cooper had lost his own child with the death of his wife. How would he react to Ridley’s pregnancy? Would it dredge up all the heartache and loss, make it fresh and painful again?
She prayed not, because she loved Cooper, and she loved Ridley, and honest to God, she already loved the baby her sister carried.
Baxter had already spilled the beans, so Phoenix quietly explained, “Ridley is having a baby.”
His brows shot up so high, they disappeared under his disheveled hair. But he didn’t look upset, just surprised.
Phoenix touched his face. “I’m getting a niece or nephew.”
Cooper looked at Baxter first, then Ridley.
Her sister said, “We’re in this together. Auntie is a very important role.”
Baxter didn’t object to that, but he did add, almost like an afterthought, “We’ll be getting married, too.”
It was ridiculous under the circumstances, but Phoenix thrust a fist into the air. “Yes!”
With a strained laugh, Cooper hugged her so tightly she squeaked.
Ridley cocked open one eye for a lopsided glare aimed at Baxter, but anything she might’ve said got cut short as an ambulance arrived and paramedics hurried in. Maris and Daron showed up with Sugar, who went berserk when reunited with Phoenix and Cooper.
How odd that there could be so much joy on such an insane, dangerous night. Phoenix had a feeling that as long as she was with Cooper, it would always be that way.